World Athletics Enforces SRY Gene Testing for Women Athletes

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

NANJING – World Athletics has officially introduced a new policy mandating DNA-based sex verification for female athletes. Beginning September 1, 2025, all female competitors in World Athletics events must undergo SRY gene testing to confirm their biological sex.

The regulation will take effect at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, scheduled for September 13, and follows recommendations made earlier this year by the World Athletics Gender Diversity Task Force.

Under the new policy, athletes competing in the women’s category must complete a one-time DNA test — using either a cheek swab or blood sample — to determine the presence of the Sex-determining Region Y (SRY) gene. This gene, typically found on the Y chromosome, is used to verify biological male traits.

Any athlete who tests positive for the SRY gene will not be eligible to participate in the women’s category under World Athletics regulations.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe strongly defended the policy during a statement earlier this year, emphasizing the organization’s stance on biological eligibility:

“Testing to confirm biological sex is a very important step to ensure there is no biological glass ceiling. To compete in the women’s division, you have to be biologically female. Gender cannot trump biology.”

The new rules are part of World Athletics’ broader effort to create a fair and scientifically consistent framework for gender-based participation in elite sports.

This decision comes amid ongoing global debates around transgender athlete participation and intersex eligibility in women’s competitions. While the organization states that the policy aims to “protect fairness,” critics argue it could be seen as invasive and exclusionary.

Human rights advocates have raised concerns about potential violations of privacy and bodily autonomy, urging sports bodies to strike a balance between fairness and inclusive.

The implementation of the SRY gene test begins ahead of the Tokyo Championships and will be required for all female athletes seeking to compete in World Athletics-sanctioned events worldwide.

The organization clarified that testing will only be required once per athlete and that data privacy will be strictly protected under international health and sport governance standards.

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